Moscow responded to the US threats to block the delivery of su-30 to Iran

Moscow responded to the US threats to block the delivery of su-30 to Iran

06.04.2016

U.S. ready to prevent deliveries of Russian offensive weapons to Iran, although Moscow could not stand this question for discussion. In Russia really are considering deals with Iran, but after the expiration of the restrictions imposed by the UN security Council. However, the “speculative threat” to veto appeared not so simply: the US is not against to retain the “Iranian front”.

The U.S. has promised to veto in the UN security Council on the supply by Russia of the su-30 to Iran. “Deliveries of these aircraft without the authorization of the Security Council prohibited”, and “agreement on them we will not allow,” said the U.S. Deputy Secretary of state Thomas Shannon to a meeting of the United States Senate Committee on foreign relations.

“U.S. claim Russia’s plans, that is, they expect to take market weapons in Iran”

“This “red line” Obama will suffer the same fate”

The Russian Foreign Ministry meanwhile said that “any proposals for the supply to Iran of su-30 the Russian side in the UN security Council had not filed, and in the agenda the issue now is not worth it,” said an informed source, the Agency TASS.

He explained that, although the arms embargo against Tehran is gone, installed a new licensing procedure supply Iran with weapons and spare parts, which deals with the seven categories of the UN register of conventional arms: combat aircraft, attack helicopters, naval vessels, artillery, missiles, etc. “Formally, their delivery is also not prohibited, but the appropriate application must be approved by the UN security Council,” – said the source.

The American media have already expressed doubts in forces the U.S. to confront Russia’s intentions. “Did the White house decided to show strength of character against Iran?” – surprised The Washington Times. The publication reminded that the indignation and protests from Washington about the intentions of Moscow to sell Iran s-300 and T-90 tanks, the Kremlin simply ignored, and the US is not very much insist on their point of view. Meanwhile, Iran is testing ballistic missiles.

“The opinion of the President of the United States that this country can become part of the developed world and fight against wars and instability, is wrong and dangerous,” warns The Washington Times. For some reason Obama has decided to hold a “red line” not to allow Iran to buy su-30, said the newspaper, however, US actions in the UN is unlikely to interfere with the Kremlin. “It is likely that this “red line” Obama will suffer the same fate as all previous”, predicts edition.

Recall, back in February during the visit of Iranian defense Minister Hossein Dehgans, a senior representative of the Russian Federal service for military-technical cooperation (FSMTC) reported that the issue with the purchase of multifunctional fighters su-30CM will be permitted within 2016. “Iran expresses interest in the purchase of a batch of su-30CM, but while the parties discuss this issue in the negotiations. During the year the contract is signed”, – said the interlocutor.

Double multipurpose su-30CM combines the functions of fighter and attack aircraft, and bombers. It has highly advanced-maneuverability, equipped with radar with phased antenna array, engines with thrust vector control and canard. The aircraft may with equal efficiency to strike air targets, striking ground and surface objects. Su-30SM able to use modern and promising precision weapons class “air – air” and “air – surface” (“air to ground”). Among the advantages of the su-30CM – without refueling and overhead tanks car traveling up to three thousand kilometers.

“We plan to purchase T-90 tanks”

Earlier “Kommersant” reported that Iran intends to conclude with Russia military contracts worth at least eight billion dollars, and Hossein Dehgan on this occasion planned to hold talks with the head of the defense Ministry Sergei Shoigu, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and even President Vladimir Putin.

Among the desirable acquisitions for Iran and the Russian T-90 tanks. In December 2015, the commander of land forces of Iran Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said that Iranian military ties with Russia in the sphere of supply of arms “is established, and we plan to buy T-90 tanks”. However, after a couple of months, in February, the Iranian government seems to have changed his mind: “the Russian T-90 is one of our favorite tanks, said Pourdastan. – However, Iran currently intends to satisfy the need for tanks at the expense of cars of its own production”.

At the same time, experts noted that the creation of Iran’s own modern tank without support from other countries is extremely unlikely. “To create his own school, takes decades. Iran has no such capabilities, so Iran can produce only old models of equipment, and the creation of modern machines is simply impossible”, – said the newspaper VIEW Director of the Centre for analysis of world arms trade Igor Korotchenko.

Apparently, this was also clear to the Iranians themselves. After a couple of weeks the Deputy commander of land forces of the Islamic Republic of Kiomars General heidari said Iran “has not abandoned its intentions to get T-90, but ground forces were denied access to military equipment without transfer of the country the technology of its production”.

The t-90 is a Russian main battle tank, developed in the late 1980’s – early 1990-ies. Adopted in 1992. In the period from 2001 to 2010 was one of the most sold in the world markets tanks – mainly due to the deliveries to India.

“Even do not need to notify”

Another related topic of concern to American legislators and the administration, the delivery to Tehran of the Russian anti-aircraft missile systems s-300. “S-300 is not prohibited by UN security Council resolution, since this anti-aircraft system, considered to be defensive,’ said Shannon. – However, in our view, it would be a bad move, destabilizing the situation, (because it) goes against all what we seek in relations with Iran”, – said the Deputy state Secretary.

The representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry also recalled that the s-300 do not appear in the registry of the UN security Council, and thus to supply these systems to Iran without permission. “And even to notify anyone else is not necessary”, – he stressed.

Recall, to begin deliveries of s-300 systems to Iran Russia has planned in 2015. Even then, it “shocked the West and Israel”, celebrated The National Interest. “The presence of s-300 will make it possible to strike U.S. or Israeli air force on Iran’s nuclear program more risky than ever before,” said the publication. Author Kyle Mizokami thus suggested that Russia could offer Iran a few types of modern, powerful weapons: it’s anti-ship missiles Club, T-90 tanks, SU-35, large landing ships (BDK) “Ivan Gren” and the Russian 9К720 missile complex “Iskander”, which thanks to its accuracy, which is ideal for warfare.

Chief editor of the magazine “Arsenal of the Fatherland”, a military expert Viktor Murakhovsky in conversation with the newspaper VIEW recalled that Iran is forbidden to enter offensive weapons for five years after the conclusion of the so-called nuclear agreement. “It is possible to buy only with the permission of the UN Security Council. Therefore we deliver to Iran air defense system s-300, which refers to the list of defensive, offensive not included”, – he added.

While at the moment we are negotiating about in the future to put those weapons that Iran wants to acquire from Russia. “It’s tanks, planes, helicopters, some jet systems of volley fire, anti-tank complexes, and so on. But the idea is to plan your deliveries beyond the boundaries of the five-year period, since it is clear that some members of the Security Council, namely USA, UK, France, will not give permission to supply offensive weapons to Iran,” says Murakhovsky.

The desire to resist the growth of military power of Iran is explained including the influence of regional partners of these members of the UN security Council. “The first is, of course, Israel. It will be weapons against Iran, no matter by whom – Russia, China or anyone else,” added the expert.

Iran during the years of isolation has developed its own well-developed defense industry, but it is not enough, said the source. “Advanced weapons systems – aircraft, main battle tanks of the latest generation, driven by high-precision weapons, Iran not capable of producing their own. So he is interested in such deliveries. But while there is a limitation. We and the UN security Council resolution, they voted to violate will not”, – concluded the source.

U.S. claim to the arms market in Iran

Premature at first glance, U.S. statements about the su-30 and other types of weapons are so very premature and have a very clear justification, said the newspaper VIEW first Vice-President of Academy of geopolitical problems, doctor of military Sciences Konstantin Sivkov. “The fact that the USA itself have a claim on Russia’s plans, that is, they expect to take market weapons in Iran,” he said.

However the interlocutor has reminded that Iran is a country which is a serious geopolitical obstacle to U.S. plans to establish domination in the region. “The States clearly understand this and therefore don’t want they got a modern weapon system”, – said the interlocutor.

Thus, the U.S. plans to supply Iran with weapons that will be under the control of the Americans, the source specified. He added that with the American weapons the Iranians military production will not improve. But with Russian weapons, the situation is different: “Our weapons for fighting qualities are not worse than American, but from the point of view of ease of production and exploitation much cheaper and easier than American,” summed up the expert.